This week check out these blog carnivals and festivals I participated in.

• 43rd Carnival of Money Hacks – Editor’s Pick, “$170 Car Investment”
• 156th Festival of Frugality
• 89th Carnival of Money StoriesLivingAlmostLarge
  
• 183rd Carnival of Personal Finance
• 12-14-08 Twenty-Something Carnival of Finances
• 119th Festival of Stocks
• 23rd Rich Life Carnival
• 12-13-08 Carnival of Financial Planning
• 12-15-08 Carnival of Bankruptcy and Debt
• 2nd Carnival of the Economy, Debt, and Bankruptcy
• 4th Holiday Spirit Carnival
• 12-16-08 Carnival of Personal Development

These are some posts I read this week and found cool.

• The Student Loan Guru talks about “Is it better to pay off studen loans quickly?” He says yes, I tend to agree, but only if you are already saving for retirement, have an emergency fund, and no other debt like a car loan or credit card debt.
• Think Simple Now gives us a list of “38 creative gift ideas“. Some are hilarious.
• Find Financial Freedom talks about a new endemic “I can’t pay my bills.” Funny I thought that was the mantra of the last decade in the US?
• Let’s blog money asks an interesting question “Should people be required to complete a course before they are approved for a mortgage?” Hell yes, but will people still do stupid and claim they didn’t know?
• Mr. Banker talks about “finding the safest banks.”
• My Wealth Builder talks about “How I use Put Options” I had no idea about the difference bewteen a put and call option. Don’t try this if you are just getting into investing.
• FreeFromBroke asks “Is it the right time to buy a house?” I think it doesn’t really matter when it bottoms because it’s not an investment, it’s a place to live.
• CashMoneyLife talks about “Rules for regifting“. I think the list pretty comprehensive.
• WideOpenWallet talks about “10 holiday Budget busters“. I totally agree! I find myself leaving bigger tips and cooking/baking more. I made bread pudding, eggnog (2x), banana nut bread, chocolate chip cookies, etc!
• MoneyNing explains why “Let your children handle their own finances“. It makes sense to make mistakes early and learn from the, that is if you learn from them.

Have a great weekend!  And enjoy yourselves!